Spiritual Communion

In the absence of Mass and the Eucharist, the faithful are encouraged to make a “Spiritual Communion” through the prayer of the Most Holy Redeemer (Anima Christi), the prayer of Self-Offering (Suscipe), or by praying the prayer below:

My Jesus,I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already thereand unite myself wholly to You.Never permit me to be separated from You.Amen.

Host a video live-stream for members of your parish to pray the rosary

Take time on Fridays to pray the stations of the cross on your own, connecting your struggles with isolation with Jesus’ solitude in carrying his cross to Calvary

Watch a movie about the life of Christ and spend time reflecting on this image of Jesus and what it can teach you about your faith and your life

Reach Out

Call or email (or socially network with) your parents and grandparents, relatives, and any friends who may feel isolated, living alone, or who may be susceptible to the Coronavirus to provide a kind word, to see what help they need, or to provide your love and support in these challenging days.

Offer to get groceries or other necessities for those who cannot go out.

Check on friends who live alone to see if they need anything

Have compassion for those most at risk and advocate for vulnerable populations in society (the elderly, those in poverty, homeless persons, persons with disabilities, those already sick or hospitalized, those with compromised immune systems, among others)

For all of us stuck at home!

Many museums have closed their doors but they are open for business online. Here's a list of museums that have put their collections online for you to enjoy.

Additional Programs 34. Disney Imagineering In A Box 35. LEGO Engineering Workshop 36. Skype A Scientist 37. LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems 38. #GADBookClub : Actor Josh Gad (Olaf from Frozen) is reading bedtime stories live on his Twitter every night. 39. National Geographic Kids 40. PBS Kids: Design Squad Global 41. Scholastic Learn At Home : Day by day projects to keep kids thinking, learning, and growing.Binge Watch Something New If you have the feeling that you've watched everything there is to see on Netflix, here are some other platforms you can download to your phone, tablet, or smart TV for a variety of shows and movies. 42. PlutoTV is always free and has 250+ of free channels to choose from. This has an App for Android or Apple devices, as well as working on your smart TV. 43. XUMO is a free (ad-supported) service with 200 channels of movies, TV shows and kids' entertainment. 44. Sundance Now has a 30-day free trial with the code SUNDANCENOW30. This service offers thrillers, True Crime, and Dramas. 45. Shudder has a 30-day free trial with the code SHUTIN. Shudder specializes in horror movies and thrillers. 46. UMC has a 30-day free trial with the code UMCFREE30. UMC has the best in Black film and TV. 47. Acorn TV has a 30-day free trial with the code FREE30 and is full of British and Australian TV shows 48. Crunchyroll has a 14-day free trial and access to Anime 49. Philo is a cable alternative that has a 7-day free trial then it's $20/month for 59+ channels. 50. Sling TV is another Cable alternative and has two packages available 51. IMDb TV is an ad-supported movie streaming services

Daily Readings

We encourage you and your family to reflect on the daily readings, especially on Sundays. You can access the readings on USCCB's website:

You may also take advantage of these
additional publications.
The following publishers have generously made their resources available to support prayer during these difficult days. We thank them for their generosity and pastoral concern.

“When we cannot go to the church, let us turn towards the tabernacle; no wall can shut us out from the good God.” – St. John Vianney

Practical Tips

Establish your new family schedule– allow kids to have a real impact on what their days are going to look like. be intentional about things like screen time, getting outside, and physical activity

You’re going to have a lot MORE time than usual, so one idea is to slowly expand things that your kids do– if they usually have to practice piano for 30 minutes, for example, maybe make it 35 for the first week, 40 for the next, etc.

It’s a great time to teach everyone in the family to cook! There are great things like homemade pasta that you probably never have time to make.

Have a family dance party!

Have a kid that hasn’t learned to ride a bike yet? This is a perfect time.

Set aside time after lunch to do family cleaning/sanitizing (wiping down high touch surfaces)

Review the kids' spring/summer clothing/ switch the closets around from winter to spring

With the library closed, take advantage of their free services like Hoopla and Overdrive to have access to eBooks and audiobooks

Do a gratitude exercise with the family– but make up some rule, like “everything has to start with the letter R and include adjectives”

Nature hiking- maybe the same walk at different times of day, observing how it changes at different times.

Start indoor seeds (Now is a great time! Get some native wildflower seeds or vegetable seeds and start them inside and they will be ready to plant in May!)

Get an area ready outside for gardening. You can plant radishes and greens now, maybe even some hardy lettuce

Spring cleaning! Work on fixing up or organizing an area of the house

Perform music or have a family jam session

Painting (outside if it’s nice)

Have the kids prepare a play to perform in the evening

Using a platform like Nextdoor, organize people to place something in their windows so that families can go walking around the neighborhood and count how many they can find.

Pillow fight!

Build a fort

Have a formal tea party one afternoon. Prepare for it by makes scones or little sandwiches.

Do an elaborate baking project and share it on social media

Use up all of those art and craft kits that have collected from your kids’ birthdays!

Play one board game as a family each week

Look up one new card game each week and play it – for example, Cardgo (super easy and quick and everyone can play! It’s like bingo, but with a pack of cards)

If you are asked to telework, find a routine and pace that allows for the most productivity, yet does not overwhelm you. Be sure to distance your personal and professional lives at your new “home office.”

Be conscious of your mental health during this time of great anxiety. Be kind to yourself, be calm, and be patient with yourself and others.

Mental Health Resource

Welcome

Santa Maria del Mar Mission Statement

Inspired by Mary's yes to bring Christ into the world, her simplicity, and her complete trust in God, we, the family of Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church, lift up our hearts through hospitality, prayer, formation, and service in joyful response to the God's love.

Fr. Manny is available for phone calls during this time Wednesdays 9:30 - 12:30, Thursday and Friday 9 am - 12 noon